BioPlastek 2011 Forum: Virent?s Para-Xylene Enables Production of 100% Plant-Based PET Bottle

Skillman, NJ (PRWEB) June 10, 2011

Skyrocketing resin prices have intensified the race to create plant-based PET bottles as replacements for petroleum-derived ones. This led to recent dual announcements, first by H.J. Heinz Company of plans to use Coca-Cola?s 30% plant-based PET PlantBottle? for packaging its ketchup, and then by PepsiCo which announced a 100% plant-based PET bottle in the laboratory. Bio-based ethylene glycol is available and replaces 30% of the fossil fuel.

The more challenging issue has been how the other monomer of PET, namely the PTA component, can be replaced by a bio-based version to cost-effectively achieve 100% renewable PET packaging near-term.

The ?holy grail? of a bio-based PTA may finally be a reality with the announcement by Virent on June 6th that it successfully made para-xylene (PX) from 100% renewable plant sugars. A patented catalytic process is used to convert the plant-based sugars into PX, identical to that made from petroleum. The conversion of PX to PTA is widely utilized commercial chemistry. In essence, the bio-based PX fills in the ?missing piece? to make a 100% bio-based PET bottle.

Further details on this remarkable achievement will be presented by Kieran Furlong, Virent?s commercial manager-chemicals, in a late addition to the BioPlastek 2011 Forum program. The Forum will take place on June 27-29, 2011, at The Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.????

Especially noteworthy is that the PX was made in Virent?s 10,000 gal/year demonstration plant. Others who claim to have converted biomass directly to aromatic intermediates (including PX) are believed to have done so only in a lab environment.

Virent used US-grown beet sugar as the feedstock in this demonstration. A similar process has been demonstrated at smaller scale with a wide variety of feedstocks.

To hear history in the making, register today at http://bioplastek.com to attend the BioPlastek 2011 Forum.

# # #

More Catalytic Converter Press Releases

Virent and The Coca-Cola Company Sign Agreements to Develop and Supply 100% Renewable, Recyclable PlantBottle?

Madison, Wisconsin (PRWEB) December 15, 2011

Virent and The Coca-Cola Company announced today they have entered into a new strategic partnership to accelerate the commercialization of renewable, recyclable materials for beverage packaging. The companies have signed multi-year, multi-million dollar Joint Development and Supply Agreements to scale-up Virent?s plant-based Paraxylene (PX), trademarked BioFormPX?, as a route to commercially viable, 100% renewable, 100% recyclable PlantBottle? PET resin. Virent?s BioFormPX will be used in Coca-Cola?s existing supply chain to make 100% bio-based PTA that will be mixed with biobased MEG to produce PlantBottle? PET Resin with 100% bio-based content.

"The Coca-Cola Company?s commitment to provide its customers with PlantBottle? packaging made from 100% renewable and recyclable materials is a bold example of visionary brand leadership," said Lee Edwards, CEO of Virent. "I am delighted that Virent?s partnership with Coca-Cola will play a significant role in achieving this vision."

?While the technology to make bio-based materials in a lab has been available for years, we believe Virent is a company that possesses technologies that have high potential for creating them on a global commercial scale within the next few years,? said Rick Frazier, Vice President, Commercial Product Supply, The Coca-Cola Company. ?This is a significant R&D investment in packaging innovation and is the next step toward our vision of creating all of our plastic packaging from responsibly sourced plant-based materials.?

Virent and The Coca-Cola Company will rapidly progress both development and engineering under this effort, with Virent targeting 2015 for the first commercial plant opening. The majority of the PX produced from Virent?s first plant will be allocated for purchase by The Coca-Cola Company?s supply chain partners for the Company?s product packaging. Virent will reserve the remainder of the BioFormPXTM for market development in complementary PET and polyester applications.

The world's largest soft-drink maker introduced the PlantBottle? packaging in 2009, which consists of a conventional plastic made with up to 30 percent plant-based material. Since that time, The Coca-Cola Company has aggressively sought viable plant-based options for the remaining 70 percent of the material. Virent?s BioFormPX? product will allow Coca-Cola to offer its customers up to 100% renewable, 100% recyclable bottles which can be processed through existing manufacturing and recycling facilities.

About Virent

Virent is replacing crude oil by creating the chemicals and fuels the world demands using a wide range of naturally-occurring, renewable resources. Their patented technology features catalytic chemistry to convert plant-based sugars and agricultural residues into a full range of products identical to those made from petroleum, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and chemicals for plastics and fibers. The products are ?drop-in? replacements that enable full utilization of existing logistics infrastructure without blending limitations. The development of Virent?s BioForming? technology platform is supported through strategic investors including Cargill, Shell and Honda, as well as 120 employees based in Madison, Wisconsin. Please learn more at http://www.Virent.com.

Contact

Kelly Morgan

Marketing Manager, Virent Energy Systems

Kelly_morgan(at)virent(dot)com

608-237-8603

3571 Anderson St.

Madison, WI 53704

# # #